Rail budget realistic, not populist: Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi: Terming the Railway budget as "realistic and pragmatic", Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday rejected opposition criticism that it lacked substance and said NDA government has taken on its shoulders all the responsibility of implementing unfulfilled promises of earlier regimes.

He said the budget was "most reassuring" as it gives a very innovative account of the road ahead to make railways backbone of the country's transportation and engine of economic growth.

Taking on the opposition for its criticism over no new trains, he questioned how many promises of new trains and railway tracks were implemented in the past and asserted that the budget will surely address the major issues of four 'S' of "speed, safety, security and satisfaction" of rail users.Read More: Read full coverage on 2015-16 Rail Budget

"Substantially enhanced allocations for new network creation, doubling, tripling and quadrupling of network and electrification will herald 'acche din' for railways and its users," the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

He said the budget was not populist but will become the most popular once implementation starts. "The Railway Budget for 2015-16 is the most reassuring railway budget of last many years. The Budget proposals are a very informative, innovative and inspiring account of the road ahead for making our railways really the back bone of transportation in our country and a true driver of economic growth," Naidu said.

He said Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has come out with a "realistic and pragmatic" budget and its effect will be known at the end of the year when past projects will be assessed and implemented.

"NDA government is trying to fulfil the promises made by the earlier regimes by taking up all the responsibilities on its shoulders.

"The economics of the Railways, the revenue of railways should also be kept in mind. People want clean railway stations, hygienic food, speed and security in the trains. These are the aspects the budget has focussed on," Naidu said.

He said that the four objectives, five strategy devices and 11 thrust areas detailed by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will address the four S of railways---speed, safety, security and satisfaction of railway users.